Sometimes we have those days where it feels like the world is against us and nothing seems to go to plan. While there are always positives to be found, sometimes we just need a little comfort after a bad day so that we can pick ourselves back up again and feel revived and refreshed for another day on Earth. It is at these times that we need a toolbox of things to do that help us feel better. That’s where we at Me Time Away step in! It’s not feasible to run away to a retreat at the drop of a hat, but there are little things you can do to help you feel better after a bad day in the office. Even just picking a few of the following ideas should help you release some tension.
Do Some Exercise
While you may feel as though all you want to do is eat chocolate and drink a large glass of wine after a bad day, it’s sometimes the things that we least expect that will have a positive impact on our mental wellbeing. Doing even a short amount of vigorous exercise allows us to get a burst of endorphins which allow us to feel lighter, calmer and happier than we were just 20 minutes before!
Daniel Landers, a professor at Arizona State University stated that the immediate mood boost of the exercise was followed by longer-term relief, similar to that offered by medication and talk therapy.
If you’re angry at someone or feel stressed about a situation, a high-intensity workout such as kick-boxing can feel like the perfect release.
Have A Shower Or Bath
Taking a long, warming shower or bath can be a great way to cleanse yourself both literally and metaphorically of your bad day. Letting the warm water wash over you not only feels calming and refreshing but it also allows you to symbolically wash away the stresses of the day and move into your evening free from work worries.
Use naturally-scented body wash, essential oils or bath salts helps to soak away aches and pains. Often, we don’t realise that we have been carrying the tensions of the day within our bodies and easing your neck, shoulders and hips in a hot bath can help to release this added pressure.
Do A Guided Meditation
Getting some headspace away from the troubles of your day is a good way to separate work and home life which will help ensure your worries don’t play on your mind all night. However, it can sometimes be difficult to simply do a seated meditation without letting our monkey minds run wild. If we are particularly stressed, the stillness and silence of a Vipassana style meditation may lead to us replaying situations or conversations over and over in our heads which will not have the desired effect of bringing peace and calm into our lives.
Instead, try to opt for a guided meditation which will give your mind something else to focus on. There are thousands of guided meditation options out there, with apps like Calm or Insight Timer offering a range of different meditations to suit your mood.
Journal
Alternatively, you may find that writing things down helps to clarify ideas in your mind and allows you to see things from a new perspective. If this works for you, try to take some time to journal about your day.
It can be nice to make journaling into a meditative practise by putting on some gentle music, perhaps lighting a candle or Himalayan salt lamp and finding a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. This can be as long or short as you like, but finding some clarity and balance should help you let go of any tension so that you can truly enjoy your evening.
Call A Friend Or Family Member
When you’re feeling down sometimes all you need is to hear a friendly voice on the other end of the phone. So, if you can, try to call a friend or family member to have a comforting chat after your bad day. Or better still, see them in person so that you can enjoy a hug too!
While you may want to vent about the situation that has caused you to have a bad day, this is often because your ego wants to be told that it is right and that it had absolutely no part to play in the negative situation. This is rarely the case and while venting and having your ego rubbed may make you feel better temporarily, you’ll feel better in the long run if you have a truly connected conversation with your loved one, focusing on gratitude and positivity rather than only honing in on the negatives.
Do Something That Brings You Joy
The very best way to make yourself feel better after a bad day is to do something that brings you joy. This is different for each of us but as long as it makes you happy then it is well worth doing. Whether you want to paint your nails, bake something delicious, read a book or dance around like a lunatic, go ahead and do it, girl!
A smile is an extremely powerful tool so, if you can do a little more every day of things that make you smile, you’ll be moving towards positivity and better general wellbeing in no time!
And If You Want, Cry It Out
Lastly, if nothing else seems to work and you feel on the brink of tears, then just let it all out. There is absolutely no shame in crying and research even suggests that it makes us feel better, reduces stress and works wonders at keeping our bodies healthy.
Again, this natural, free resource allows us to both physically and metaphorically let things go so that you can start afresh tomorrow.
Hopefully, this toolbox of feel-better-after-a-bad-day ideas allows you to have a range of options at your fingertips that you can choose from to help alleviate stress and anxiety from your day.
What do you like to do to make you feel better after a bad day? Let us know in the comments below!
